Oregon's Sipe Ties For Fifth at Ping Arizona

The Ducks return to action next week at the UH Hilo Intercollegiate on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Derek Sipe matched his career low with a final round 66 Tuesday. Photo: goducks.com

TUCSON, Ariz. - Derek Sipe matched his career low with a final round 66 Tuesday to finish tied for fifth at the Ping Arizona Intercollegiate.

For the three-round tournament, the junior from Yorba Linda, Calif., shot a 7-under 206 (66-74-66) to help lead the Ducks to a ninth-place finish at the par-71, 6,900-yard Arizona National Golf Club.

It was the best finish of the season for Sipe, and the second-best of his career.

Finishing the second round that was suspended due to darkness Monday, Oregon had rounds of 291-286, coupled with Monday’s 285, for a 10-over 862 total.

Nevada-Las Vegas won the tournament at 23-under 829. Brigham Young took second at 833, followed by Arizona (840), Tennessee (841) and UC Irvine (842) to round out the top five.

East Tennessee State was sixth at 848, with Arizona State (850), Pepperdine (857), Oregon and California (862) finishing the top 10.

The Ducks’ ninth-place finish, coming against several of the nation’s top-ranked teams, was the school’s highest at the Ping Arizona tournament in six years.

Oregon also took ninth at the 2001 event.

In addition to Sipe, the Ducks also received solid scores from senior Jay Snyder and junior Joey Benedetti, who tied for 55th at 10-over 223.

First round leader Brian Prouty of Arizona ran away with the individual title, carding a 14-under 199 to defeat New Mexico’s Charlie Beljan and Seamus Power of East Tennessee State by four strokes.

Ping Arizona Intercollegiate

Arizona National Golf Club Tucson, Ariz.

Final Round

6,900-yards, Par 71

Team Standings - 1, Nevada-Las Vegas, 275-275-279-829. 2, Brigham Young, 282-274-277-833. 3, Arizona, 276-278-286-840. 4, Tennessee, 281-279-281-841. 5, UC Irvine, 281-282-279-842. 6, East Tennessee State, 282-285-281-848. 7, Arizona State, 287-281-282-850. 8, Pepperdine, 281-282-294. 9, Oregon 285-291-286-862. 11, California, 301-286-278-865. 11, New Mexico, 290-292-293-875. 12, Texas-El Paso, 291-295-294-880. 13, Loyola Marymount, 298-294-300-892. 14, New Mexico State, 287-294-314-895. 15, Long Beach State, 306-295-310-911.

Top Individuals - 1, Brian Prouty, Arizona, 62-67-70-199. T2, Charlie Beljan, New Mexico, 70-65-68-203; Seamus Power, East Tennessee State, 69-66-68-203. 4, CJ Gatto, Nevada-Las Vegas, 67-70-67-204. 5T, Derek Sipe, Oregon, 66-74-66-206; Brian Edick, UC Irvine, 68-68-70-206; Niklas Lemke, Arizona State, 67-67-72-206; Chris Paisley, Tennessee, 71-68-67-206; Gareth Shaw, East Tennessee State, 68-69-69-206; Jarred Texter, Nevada-Las Vegas, 64-72-70-206.

Other Oregon Results - T55, Jay Snyder, 74-74-75-223; Joey Benedetti, 72-77-74-223. T57, Ted Whitney, 73-69-82-224. T68, Matt Ma, 83-74-71-228.

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